EPL: Arsenal beaten

ManU’s loss hand title to City

Manchester United handed the Premier League title to Manchester City on Sunday after a woeful performance in a surprise 1-0 defeat at home by bottom club West Bromwich Albion, reports Reuters.
After all their efforts to stop City from clinching the league in their 3-2 derby win last week, United offered a clear reminder of why they have not been close contenders for the title this year with an abject display, lacking in creativity.
Their fans, who had celebrated the comeback victory at the Etihad last week, booed Jose Mourinho’s side off the field after they lost to a team who had not won since January.
A 73rd minute header from Jay Rodriguez gave Albion, who appear doomed to relegation, their first away win in 16 outings and just their fourth victory of the season.
United midfielder Nemanja Matic had headed a corner across his own goal area and Rodriguez reacted quickly to nod home the winner.
Mourinho’s side had dominated possession but created few clear chances and their loss leaves City 16 points clear with just five games remaining.
Paul Pogba, the two goal hero last week, was substituted in the 58th minute after a poor display in which he also picked up a yellow card.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United virtually guaranteed their Premier League safety as they came from a goal down to beat Arsenal 2-1 at a spring-like St James’ Park on Sunday.
Alexandre Lacazette’s stretching volley gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute but Ayoze Perez clipped in Newcastle’s equaliser on the half hour mark.
Newcastle were the better side after the break and took the lead in the 68th minute when Matt Ritchie fired home after a neat flick from Perez.
Arsenal pressed hard for an equaliser but Newcastle defended stoutly to claim a fourth successive victory and condemn Arsene Wenger’s side to a fifth consecutive away league defeat.
Newcastle have 41 points in 10th place with sixth-placed Arsenal on 54 — 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. With their top-four hopes shattered, Arsenal’s only route into next season’s Champions League is by winning the Europa League in which they face Atletico Madrid in the semis.
While Arsenal contemplate their lowest league finish since 1995, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez can reflect on a solid showing on their return to the Premier League.